Tag: Leadership

Spring Change

As the harshness of winter grips the days ahead, we look forward to changes brought on by spring. Change can be good or bad. Change is necessary to reach our goals, and change is Biblical.

Instability generally results from changes winter ushers in with spring. Tornadoes, hail, lightening, and other unstable weather is common. Change does not come quickly, easily, or without resistance.

The most beautiful part of spring is seeing all of nature regain life. After a dormant winter, spring rains and sunshine bring life. The change is amazing, even through the instability produced.

Our leadership should provide stability and assurance through the changes that produce spiritual life.

Great Divide

A great divide is described as the distance between two objects physically, figuratively, and spiritually.

Several thoughts arise to explain how a great divide is born and developed regarding spiritual leadership.

Pride: When people perceive a leader as prideful, the message is no longer effective.

Selfishness: A spirit of self-centeredness prevents a leader from seeing the possibilities in others and hinders growth.

Prejudice: To prejudge someone or a situation without proper information leaves a leader without good judgment.

The Great Divide can be an insurmountable barrier and destructive to leadership. We must guard our words and actions to prevent it.

Questions

Are your goals self-serving, or do you strive for what is best eternally?

Do your decisions provide an advantage to your career and future, or better equip someone else?

Are you driven by an agenda, or a simplistic and pure love for the betterment of God’s kingdom?

When you study, do you strive to learn the truth or find a way to justify your position?

I wish it was easier, but it isn’t. Personally, I do not like answering these questions, but it must be done.

We must examine ourselves honestly, admit mistakes, act Christ-like, and pray for God’s strength to do what is right.

Change

What would you change, if you had a chance to do 2024 over?

Would you change your words? Would you change your attitude? Would you change your actions?

The way we approach this thought plays a significant role in leadership.

Spiritual leaders must learn from the past and make the appropriate changes for the present. Upon making these changes, everyone can move forward.

Never excuse or justify mistakes. Instead, make the necessary changes.

It is not the past we need to change, but the future. Whatever comes to mind, now is the time to consider how change the direction.

Symbol of Leadership

The gavel symbolizes a legalistic leader, decisive and dogmatic.

The eagle symbolizes a presidential leader, representative and political.

The swastika symbolizes a dictatorial leader, aggressive and autocratic in power.

The crown symbolizes a kingly leader, superior and majestic.

The lamb symbolizes a gentle leader, patient under suffering.

The cross symbolizes a sacrificial leader, purposeful and loving.

While there are others, what symbol best represents your spiritual leadership?

Our leadership is worth the effort to make certain it is represented accurately and biblically.

Why?

About the age of 4, children start asking one of the toughest questions to answer: Why? Anyone around small children knows they ask it over and over. And every time we answer, they again respond with, “Why?”

As parents, a quick and easy answer is, “Because I said so.” However, this does not usually satisfy enquiring minds.

As leaders, there are two questions we must answer before making decisions.

Why make this decision?

Why now?

2025 is wide open before us. We need to give thought to “Why” as we make each decision.

Planning for 2025

Everyone knows the value of good planning. Leaders especially appreciate the need to make the proper plans to reach established goals.

Tonight we say goodbye to a year through which we will never walk again. We cannot relive it. We cannot change it. All we can do is examine it and make plans to do better in the future.

Plans are not New Year’s resolutions.

Plans are not goals.

Plans involve the activities necessary to keep our resolutions and reach our goals.

The old adage says, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.”

We all need short and long-term goals. How we plan to reach our goals makes a difference.

Getting Out of the Rut

The rut is easy, comfortable, and expected.

We never seem to find the time to talk to a neighbor about Jesus. We are busy with a variety of family and work activities. Starting a Bible study would fill up another night. When we get home at night we are tired and we just want to sit down and relax.

However, our neighbors, the grocery clerk, bank teller, those in sales,and the waiter or waitress, still need Christ.

We have to get out of the rut, get uncomfortable, and start thinking souls. We are spiritual leaders and our task on earth is to lead others to Him.

Balanced or Imbalanced

Our lives fall into three major categories: home, world, and church. Amazingly, when we are out of balance in one, the other two are affected.

Leaders have a tremendous responsibility to cautiously approach the work consumption syndrome and not lose sight of the focus needed in the church and home. When we are imbalanced, everything suffers, even our work.

Ultimately, when the spiritual element of our life is not prioritized, nothing else works.

Our task begins with establishing the right priorities and leading from that position.

Merry Christmas

From all of us to all of you…
May this holiday bring you joy and God’s blessings.
Merry Christmas!